The Dressing Room

Runway evolutions (and revolutions) from 1986 to the present

Runway evolutions (and revolutions) from 1986 to the present

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A lot can happen in two and a half decades. It was nearly impossible to settle on the most iconic collections of the past 25 years. Painful cuts were made. What remains are the designs that changed the course of fashion thanks to utter originality, wit and craftsmanship, or just plain beauty. From Gaultier's cone bras and Stephen Sprouse's monochromatic knits to YSL's army pants and Chanel's biker shorts, to the more recent offerings of Rei Kawakubo, Marc Jacobs, Miuccia Prada, Alber Elbaz, and the late Alexander McQueen—it's startling to see how clothes have evolved toward a more subtle, elegant, and personal expression. As fashion has become more accessible over the past decade, more recent trends really do hold up against the more rarefied offerings of the now retired (or sadly departed) éminences grises; they've become more expressive and unusual, too. Designers today truly are engaged in the quest for a modern approach to dressing—a multifaceted one that captures the intimate, spirited, curious, soulful, and intelligent personalities of women the world over. How lucky we are to reap the rewards!

A lot can happen in two and a half decades. It was nearly impossible to settle on the most iconic collections of the past 25 years. Painful cuts were made. What remains are the designs that changed the course of fashion thanks to utter originality, wit and craftsmanship, or just plain beauty. From Gaultier's cone bras and Stephen Sprouse's monochromatic knits to YSL's army pants and Chanel's biker shorts, to the more recent offerings of Rei Kawakubo, Marc Jacobs, Miuccia Prada, Alber Elbaz, and the late Alexander McQueen—it's startling to see how clothes have evolved toward a more subtle, elegant, and personal expression. As fashion has become more accessible over the past decade, more recent trends really do hold up against the more rarefied offerings of the now retired (or sadly departed) éminences grises; they've become more expressive and unusual, too. Designers today truly are engaged in the quest for a modern approach to dressing—a multifaceted one that captures the intimate, spirited, curious, soulful, and intelligent personalities of women the world over. How lucky we are to reap the rewards!